Losing a train of thought, struggling to recall familiar words, or forgetting the reason for walking into a room can be a source of concern for older adults, who may wonder if they are experiencing early signs of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. However, medical experts note that these brain blips can often be tied to hormone shifts later in life, particularly in women who experience a loss of estrogen during perimenopause and menopause.
According to Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, a professor of neurology at UCLA and co-founder of Cleopatra RX in Los Angeles, women experiencing memory struggles in midlife should compare their cognitive function to their own past performance. She recommends using a quick benchmark - comparing their current mental state to where it was a decade ago. This assessment can help reveal whether a woman's cognitive changes may be linked to menopause, while giving patients and physicians a baseline for tracking symptoms over time.
Dr. Voskuhl notes that standard memory tests may not always catch subtle shifts in everyday cognitive function. She compares this to a high-performing athlete who notices a decline in performance, even if a standard test shows no obvious decline. "They know if they're not like they used to be," she said. Women, too, can often recognize when their cognitive abilities have changed from their own baseline and should trust those observations, according to Dr. Voskuhl.
Menopausal brain fog typically involves temporary, inconsistent lapses like misplacing items or experiencing slower processing speed, but overall reasoning skills and independence remain intact. Symptoms often fluctuate and can be exacerbated by stress or poor sleep. By contrast, early dementia causes persistent, progressive memory loss that interferes with basic daily tasks like managing finances, following familiar routes while driving, or exercising sound judgment. Experts advise seeking a full medical evaluation, including brain MRIs or vascular screenings, to rule out underlying issues like blood vessel disease or thyroid imbalances.
For women who feel their concerns are being dismissed, Dr. Voskuhl advises finding another doctor who will listen to their concerns.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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